Back to all recipes
Grilled Salmon with Radish Cucumber Slaw

Grilled Salmon with Radish Cucumber Slaw

Grilled Salmon with Crisp Radish Cucumber Slaw — Light, Fresh, and Ready in 25 Minutes

When radishes meet cucumbers in a bright rice vinegar dressing, they create the perfect foil for rich, grilled salmon. The slaw's crisp bite and tangy heat balance the fish's natural oils beautifully, making this one of those dinners that feels both satisfying and refreshing.

DinnerGluten FreeDairy FreeQuick MealsHealthyGrillingSeafoodFishSummer
Prep15 min
Cook10 min
Total25 min
Servings4
Difficultyeasy

Nutrition

fat18g
carbs8g
protein25g
calories285

Ingredients

Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets, skin-on, 6 oz each
  • 2 tbspolive oil, extra-virgin
  • 1 tspkosher salt
  • ½ tspfreshly ground black pepper

Slaw

  • 8 ozradishes, trimmed and sliced paper-thin
  • 2 English cucumbers, cut into thin matchsticks
  • ¼ cupred onion, sliced into thin half-moons
  • 2 tbspfresh dill, roughly chopped(optional)

Dressing

  • 3 tbsprice vinegar, unseasoned
  • 2 tbspolive oil, extra-virgin
  • 1 tspDijon mustard
  • 1 tsphoney
  • ½ tspkosher salt

Instructions

  1. Fire up your grill to medium-high heat and make sure the grates are clean. You want them hot enough that your hand can only hover over them for 2-3 seconds comfortably.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the rice vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and salt until the mixture comes together smoothly. The honey might resist at first, but keep whisking and it'll incorporate.
  3. Toss the sliced radishes, julienned cucumbers, and red onion together in a large mixing bowl. The vegetables should look like colorful confetti.
  4. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss everything thoroughly with your hands or tongs. Make sure every piece gets coated — this is what brings the slaw to life.
  5. Fold in the chopped dill if using, giving it just a gentle stir to distribute. The herbs should stay bright and fresh-looking.
  6. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels, then brush both sides with olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper — the fish needs proper seasoning to stand up to that bright slaw.
  7. Place the salmon skin-side down on the hottest part of the grill. Don't move them around — let them develop a proper sear and the skin will release naturally when it's ready.
    5 min
  8. Flip the fillets carefully and continue grilling until the flesh feels firm but still gives slightly when pressed, and the internal temperature hits 145°F. The fish should have clear grill marks and look opaque throughout.
    4 min
  9. Transfer the salmon to a serving platter and let it rest briefly — this helps the juices redistribute. Serve immediately alongside generous portions of the crisp slaw.
    2 min